Method for obtaining a mobile internet protocol address

ABSTRACT

In various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for acquiring a mobile internet protocol address in a communication network. In an embodiment, an authentication node sends a mobile network internet node notification message to a mobile network internet node where the mobile network internet node notification message comprises an authentication node identifier associated with a user identifier. A mobile internet protocol request message is sent from a gateway node to the mobile network internet node. A mobile internet protocol access request message is sent from the mobile network internet node to the authentication node utilizing the authentication node identifier associated with a user identifier. A mobile internet protocol access accept message is received at the mobile network internet node transferred from the authentication node where the mobile internet protocol access accept message comprises a mobile network internet node key. The mobile internet protocol address is assigned at the mobile network internet node to a mobile station associated with the user identifier.

REFERENCE

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication 61/048,062; entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING AMOBILE INTERNET PROTOCOL ADDRESS; filed on Apr. 25, 2008; and herebyincorporated by reference into this patent application.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Wireless communication services are a popular choice for accessing avariety of communication networks. To facilitate the provision ofwireless services, many standards bodies put forward a variety ofwireless technologies. For example, the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) has promulgated a number of wirelessstandards including the 802.11 (WiFi) standards and the 802.16 (WiMAX)standards. Likewise, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) hasalso offered standards to facilitate wireless communications. Thisincludes TIA-856, which is also known as Evolution-Data Optimized(EV-DO). The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) hasalso promulgated a standard known as long term evolution (LTE).Additional standards such as the fourth generation communication system(4G) are also being pursued. These standards pursue the aim of providinga comprehensive communication solution where voice, data, and streamedmultimedia can be given to users on an “anytime, anywhere” basis. Thesestandards also aim to provide higher data rates than previousgenerations. All of these standards may include specifications forvarious aspects of wireless communication with a network. These aspectsinclude processes for registering on the network, carrier modulation,frequency bands of operation, and message formats.

Wireless communication services offer certain advantages over wiredcommunication for accessing a network. One of those advantages is alower cost of infrastructure to provide access to many separatelocations or addresses compared to wired communications. This is theso-called “last mile” problem. Another advantage is mobility. Wirelesscommunication devices, such as cell phones, are not tied by wires to afixed location. Mobility also provides challenges for providing accessto existing public and proprietary networks including the ability toensure that a wireless device maintains connectivity while operating ina mobile environment.

OVERVIEW

In various embodiments, methods and systems are provided for acquiring amobile internet protocol address in a communication network. In anembodiment, an authentication node sends a mobile network internet nodenotification message to a mobile network internet node where the mobilenetwork internet node notification message comprises an authenticationnode identifier associated with a user identifier. A mobile internetprotocol request message is sent from a gateway node to the mobilenetwork internet node. A mobile internet protocol access request messageis sent from the mobile network internet node to the authentication nodeutilizing the authentication node identifier associated with a useridentifier. A mobile internet protocol access accept message is receivedat the mobile network internet node transferred from the authenticationnode where the mobile internet protocol access accept message comprisesa mobile network internet node key. The mobile internet protocol addressis assigned at the mobile network internet node to a mobile stationassociated with the user identifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system forassigning a mobile internet protocol address to a mobile station.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of assigning amobile internet protocol address to a mobile station.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a WiMAX communication system forassigning a mobile internet protocol address to a mobile station.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of assigning amobile internet protocol address to a mobile station in a WiMAX network.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wireless communication networks are global in nature and require avariety of network elements to facilitate communication for its users.At times, assigning a mobile internet protocol (MIP) address to a mobilestation becomes problematic when multiple network elements are involvedto authenticate wireless devices on a communication network. Thus, itbecomes important for the communication network to have the ability toeffectively recognize the proper network elements to ensure that data isproperly transferred among the network elements to the wireless device.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram is provided illustrating anexemplary embodiment for assigning a mobile internet protocol (MIP)address to a mobile station. FIG. 1 comprises communication network 100,mobile station 101, gateway 102, gateway 103, authentication node 104,authentication node 105, authentication node 106, mobile networkinternet node 110, mobile network internet node 111, mobile networkinternet node 112, service node 115 and internet protocol network(Internet) 120.

Communication network 100 comprises authentication nodes 104-106 andmobile network internet nodes 110-112. Mobile station 101 exchangesinformation with gateway 102 or gateway 103. Gateway 102 and gateway 103may exchange information with mobile network internet nodes 110-112.Gateway 102 and gateway 103 may also exchange information withauthentication nodes 104-106. Service node 115 may exchange informationwith authentication nodes 104-106. Internet 120 may exchange informationwith mobile network internet nodes 110-112.

Communication network 100 may comprise any wireless network thatprovides communication connectivity for mobile station 101 tocommunication with other users. Wireless network protocols that may beutilized by communication network 100 may include code division multipleaccess (CDMA) 1×RTT, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM),Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High-Speed PacketAccess (HSPA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), EV-DO rev. A, ThirdGeneration Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), GeneralPacket Radio Services (GPRS), Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (WiMAX) and the like.

Mobile station 101 may be any device that has wireless communicationconnectivity that may be readily moved from one location to another.Mobile station 101 could include telephones, smartphones, mobile phones,cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personalcommunicators, handheld game consoles, personal computers (PCs),Ultra-Mobile personal computers (UMPCs), handheld televisions and anyother consumer appliance with wireless communication capabilities.Referring to FIG. 1, mobile station 101's ability to move from onelocation to another is illustrated by the dotted lines.

Gateway 102 provides communication connectivity and acts as anaggregator of traffic or interworking device between one or more basestations or base station controllers (not shown) and communicationnetwork 100. Examples of gateway 102 may include an access servicenetwork gateway (ASN-GW), wireless local access network access gateway(WAG), packet data gateway (PDG), serving GPRS support node (SGSN),mobile switching center (MSC) and packet data serving node (PDSN).

Authentication nodes 104-106 provide the necessary authenticationfunctions for communication network 100 to allow mobile station 101 togain access to communication network 100. Communication network mayutilize more than one authentication node as illustrated in FIG. 1.Further, mobile station 101 may exchange information with any one ofauthentication nodes 104-106. Authentication nodes 104-106 may compriseone or more authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) serversor computing platforms.

Mobile network internet nodes 110-112 may comprise any network routerthat provides communication connectivity between communication network100 and Internet 120. Mobile station 101 may exchange information withany one of mobile network internet nodes 110-112 to provide connectivitybetween mobile station 101 and Internet 120. Examples of mobile networkinternet nodes 110-112 may include one or more home agents (HAs),gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) and the like.

Service node 115 would include any computing platform or platforms thatwould provide certain network management functions for communicationnetwork 100. Examples of network management functions comprisecontrolling, planning, allocating, deploying, coordinating, andmonitoring the resources of a network, including performing functionssuch as initial network planning, frequency allocation, predeterminedtraffic routing to support load balancing, cryptographic keydistribution authorization, configuration management, fault management,security management, performance management, bandwidth management, andaccounting management. Elements that may perform management functionscomprise authentication servers, provisioning servers, security servers,billing platforms and any other platform that enables a network providerto manage its network. Service node 115 may also maintain subscriberinformation associated with users that have permission to utilizecommunication network 100 and gateways 102-103.

Internet 120 is any collection of interconnected computing networks thatprovide communication connectivity between users. Internet 120 may bepublicly accessible or may be a collection of private or proprietarycomputing networks.

In operation, one of authentication nodes 104-106 is associated with oneor more of mobile network internet nodes 110-112 by using a useridentifier, an authentication node identifier and a mobile networkinternet node identifier. For this embodiment, authentication node 104is associated with mobile network internet node 110. Mobile networkinternet node 110 obtains a mobile network internet node key fromauthentication node 104. Then mobile network internet node 110 assigns amobile internet protocol address to a mobile station associated with theuser identifier in response to obtaining the mobile network internetnode key.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for utilizing a method for obtaining amobile internet protocol (MIP) address in a wireless communicationnetwork. A MIP address may include any internet protocol (IP) addressthat is associated with mobile station 101 where mobile station 101 hasthe ability to move and exchange information with one network element atone location and then with another network element when the mobiledevice is at another location while maintaining the same mobile IPaddress (as illustrated in FIG. 1 by the dotted lines). Network elementsthat may exchange information with mobile station 101 comprise a basestation transceiver (BTS), base station controller (BSC), base station(BS), Node B, enhanced Node B (eNB), mobile switching center (MSC),access service node gateway (ASN-GW), access gateway (aGW), home agent(HA), authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server and thelike.

A data link request message is received at authentication node 104transferred from mobile station 101. The data link request messagecomprises a user identifier and the authentication node comprises anauthentication node identifier. A user identifier may include anyidentifier associating a user to mobile station 101. Examples of useridentifiers may include a user name and password, network accessidentifier (NAI), media access control (MAC) address, digitalcertificates, tokens, phone numbers and any other similar identifier. Anauthentication node identifier may comprise authentication node 104'sinternet protocol address or any other unique identifier.

Authentication node 104 generates a mobile network internet node (MNIN)key and a mobile network internet node identifier (MNIN ID) using theuser identifier. A mobile network internet node key may be anydynamically created security key that would allow communication network100 to authenticate users and any associated message flows andconnections utilized by mobile station 101 to have access tocommunication network 100. A mobile network internet node identifier maycomprise mobile network internet node 110's internet protocol address orany other unique identifier.

Authentication node 104 sends a data link accept message to gateway 102where the data link accepted message comprises the mobile networkinternet node key and the mobile network internet node identifier.Gateway 102 then establishes a data link at the gateway node for use bythe mobile station. The data link may comprise any layer 2 or MAC layercommunication link.

The steps used to establish the data link may utilize any authenticationframework or protocol. One example of such a framework is an extensibleauthentication protocol (EAP). Those skilled in the art would recognizemany other protocols could be used when authenticating connections inwireless networks.

Continuing with FIG. 2, authentication node 104 also sends a mobilenetwork internet node (MNIN) notification message to mobile networkinternet node 110. The mobile network internet node notification messagewould include the authentication node identifier associated with theuser identifier among other parameters that could be utilized by mobilenetwork internet node 110. Upon receiving the MNIN notification message,mobile network internet node 110 associates the authentication nodeidentifier with the user identifier.

A mobile internet protocol (MIP) session request message is receivedutilizing the data link at gateway 102 transferred from mobile station101. The MIP session request message may include multiple messages usinga variety of different protocols. Such protocols would include anyprotocol that allows mobile station 101 to obtain and transfer variousparameters necessary to operate on communication network 100. DynamicHost Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is one example of a protocol usedwhen gateway 102 generates the MIP session request message on behalf ofmobile station 101. This protocol may be referred to as a proxy mobileinternet protocol (PMIP). Another example of a protocol that may beutilized is a client mobile internet protocol (CMIP) where mobilestation 101 generates and utilizes a standardized MIP message format.

Gateway 102 then sends a mobile internet protocol request message tomobile network internet node 110 where the mobile internet protocol(MIP) request message would include any number of parameters for use bymobile network internet node 110. For example, the MIP request messagewould include the user identifier, a value associated with the mobilenetwork internet node key and other network parameters.

Mobile network internet node 110 sends a mobile internet protocol (MIP)access request message to the matching authentication node 104 utilizingthe authentication node identifier associated with the user identifierfor authentication node 104. The MIP access request message wouldinclude the user identifier, a value associated with the mobile networkinternet node key and other network parameters.

In response to the MIP access request message, mobile network internetnode 110 receives a mobile internet protocol (MIP) access accept messagetransferred from the authentication node where the MIP access acceptmessage includes the mobile network internet node key among otherparameters. When the mobile network internet node key is returned tomobile network internet node 110, mobile network internet node 110assigns mobile station 101 a MIP address.

The MIP access request and MIP access accept messages may be in any formthat allows mobile network internet node 110 and authentication node 104to exchange information with one another. Examples of such formats andprotocols would include Remote Authentication Dial In User Service(RADIUS) and Diameter networking protocols.

Gateway 102 then receives a mobile internet protocol (MIP) reply messagetransferred from mobile network internet node 110 where MIP replymessage includes the MIP address among other parameters. Parameters mayinclude any data that could be utilized by gateway 102 to perform itsintended function.

Gateway 102 sends a mobile internet protocol (MIP) session acceptmessage to mobile station 101 where the MIP session accept messageincludes the MIP address among other parameters. As with the MIP sessionrequest message, the MIP session accept message may include multiplemessages using a variety of different protocols. Such protocols wouldinclude any protocol that allows mobile station 101 to obtain andtransfer various parameters necessary to operate on communicationnetwork 100. DHCP is one example of a protocol that could be utilizedwhen running a PMIP-based network. MIP message formats may be used whenrunning a CMIP-based network. Mobile station 101 then has the ability toestablish a data session with Internet 120 through mobile networkinternet node 110 upon receipt of the MIP address.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram is provided illustrating anexemplary embodiment for assigning a mobile internet protocol (MIP)address to a mobile station. FIG. 3 comprises communication network 300,mobile station 301, access services network gateway (ASN-GW) 302, ASN-GW303, authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) node 304, AAAnode 305, AAA node 306, mobile internet protocol home agent (HA) node310, HA node 311, HA node 312, service node 315 and internet protocolnetwork (Internet) 320.

Communication network 300 comprises AAA nodes 304-306 and HA nodes310-312. Mobile station 301 exchanges information with ASN-GW 302 orASN-GW 303. ASN-GW 302 and ASN-GW 303 may exchange information with HAnodes 310-312. ASN-GW 302 and ASN-GW 303 may also exchange informationwith AAA nodes 304-306. Service node 115 may exchange information withAAA nodes 304-306. Internet 320 may exchange information with HA nodes310-312.

Mobile station 301 may be any device that has wireless WiMAXcommunication connectivity that may be readily moved from one locationto another. Mobile station 301 could include telephones, smartphones,mobile phones, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs),personal communicators, handheld game consoles, personal computers(PCs), Ultra-Mobile personal computers (UMPCs), handheld televisions andany other consumer appliance with wireless communication capabilities.Referring to FIG. 3, mobile station 301's ability to move from onelocation to another is illustrated by the dotted lines.

ASN-GW 302 and ASN-GW 303 are part of an access service network thatprovide communication connectivity and acts as an aggregator of trafficor interworking device between one or more base stations or base stationcontrollers (not shown) and communication network 300. Additionally,ASN-GWs 302 and 303 may also comprise other functions including proxymobile internet protocol (PMIP), foreign agent (FA), and other relatedfunctions.

AAA nodes 304-306 provide the necessary authentication, authorizationand accounting functions for communication network 300 to allow mobilestation 301 to gain access to communication network 300. Communicationnetwork 300 may utilize more than one AAA node as illustrated in FIG. 3.Further, mobile station 301 may exchange information with any one of AAAnodes 304-306.

HA nodes 310-312 may comprise any network router that providescommunication connectivity between communication network 300 andInternet 320. Mobile station 301 may exchange information with any oneof HA nodes 310-312 to provide connectivity between mobile station 301and Internet 320.

Service node 315 would include any computing platform or platforms thatwould provide certain network management functions for communicationnetwork 300. Examples of network management functions comprisecontrolling, planning, allocating, deploying, coordinating, andmonitoring the resources of a network, including performing functionssuch as initial network planning, frequency allocation, predeterminedtraffic routing to support load balancing, cryptographic keydistribution authorization, configuration management, fault management,security management, performance management, bandwidth management, andaccounting management. Elements that may perform management functionscomprise authentication servers, provisioning servers, security servers,billing platforms and any other platform that enables a network providerto manage its network. Service node 315 may also maintain subscriberinformation associated with users that have permission to utilizecommunication network 300 and ASN-GWs 302 and 303.

Internet 320 is any collection of interconnected computing networks thatprovide communication connectivity between users. Internet 320 may bepublicly accessible or may be a collection of private or proprietarycomputing networks.

In operation, one of AAA nodes 304-306 is associated with one or more ofHA nodes 310-312 by using a user identifier, an authentication nodeidentifier and a mobile network internet node identifier. For thisembodiment, AAA node 304 is associated with HA node 310. HA node 310obtains a mobile network internet node key from AAA node 304. Then HAnode 310 assigns a mobile internet protocol address to a mobile stationassociated with the user identifier in response to obtaining the mobilenetwork internet node key.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram for utilizing a method for obtaining amobile internet protocol (MIP) address in a wireless communicationnetwork. A MIP address may include any internet protocol (IP) addressthat is associated with mobile station 301 where mobile station 301 hasthe ability to move and exchange information with one network element atone location and then with another network element when the mobiledevice is at another location while maintaining the same mobile IPaddress (as illustrated in FIG. 3 by the dotted lines). Network elementsthat may exchange information with mobile station 301 comprise a basestation (BS), access service node gateway, home agent, authentication,authorization and accounting server and the like.

A data link request message is received at AAA node 304 transferred frommobile station 301. The data link request message comprises a useridentifier and the AAA node 304 comprises an AAA node identifier. A useridentifier may include any identifier associating a user to mobilestation 301. Examples of user identifiers may include a user name andpassword, network access identifier (NAI), media access control (MAC)address, digital certificates, tokens, phone numbers and any othersimilar identifier. An AAA node identifier may comprise AAA node 304'sinternet protocol address or any other unique identifier.

AAA node 304 generates a mobile network home agent (MN-HA) key and ahome agent node identifier (HA ID) using the user identifier. A MN-HAkey may be any dynamically created security key that would allowcommunication network 300 to authenticate users and any associatedmessage flows and connections utilized by mobile station 301 to haveaccess to communication network 300. A HA ID may comprise HA node 310'sinternet protocol address or any other unique identifier.

AAA node 304 sends a data link accept message to ASN-GW 302 where thedata link accept message comprises the MN-HA key and the HA ID. ASN-GW302 then establishes a data link at ASN-GW 302 for use by mobile station301. The data link may comprise any layer 2 or MAC layer communicationlink.

The steps used to establish the data link may utilize any authenticationframework or protocol. One example of such a framework is an extensibleauthentication protocol (EAP). Those skilled in the art would recognizemany other protocols could be used when authenticating connections inwireless networks.

Continuing with FIG. 4, AAA node 304 sends a HA node notificationmessage to HA node 310. The HA node notification message would includethe AAA node identifier associated with the user identifier among otherparameters that could be utilized by HA node 310. Upon receiving the HAnode notification message, HA node 310 associates the AAA nodeidentifier with the user identifier. The HA node notification messagemay be formatted in any number of ways. Format examples include a policyserver or RADIUS Change of Authorization (CoA) request messages (code43) and even-request messages (code 33) as described in the InternetEngineering Task Force (IETF) documents RFC 3576, RFC 2865 and RFC 1321all incorporated herein by reference. The attributes in the code 43 and33 messages comprise the AAA node identifier or authenticator address,the user identifier or NAI and the HA node identifier or HA IP address.Other examples include Diameter message formats as defined in IETFdocument RFC 3588 incorporated herein by reference includingreauthorization request message formats.

A mobile internet protocol (MIP) session request message is receivedutilizing the data link at ASN-GW 302 transferred from mobile station301. The MIP session request message may include multiple messages usinga variety of different protocols. Such protocols would include anyprotocol that allows mobile station 301 to obtain and transfer variousparameters necessary to operate on communication network 300. DHCP isone example of a protocol that could be utilized when running aPMIP-based network. MIP message formats may be used when messages aregenerated by mobile station 101 using a CMIP-based protocol.

ASN-GW 302 then sends a mobile internet protocol request message to HAnode 310 where the mobile internet protocol (MIP) request message wouldinclude any number of other parameters for use by HA node 310. Forexample, the MIP request message would include the user identifier, avalue associated with the MN-HA key and other network parameters. Shouldthe AAA node identifier not be present in the MIP request message, HAnode 310 uses the AAA node that is normally associated with HA node 310.

HA node 310 sends a mobile internet protocol (MIP) access requestmessage to the matching AAA node 304 utilizing the AAA node identifierassociated with user identifier for AAA node 304. The MIP access requestmessage would include the user identifier, a value associated with theMN-HA key and other network parameters.

In response to the MIP access request message, HA node 310 receives amobile internet protocol (MIP) access accept message transferred fromAAA node 304 where the MIP access accept message includes the MN-HA keyamong other parameters. When the MN-HA key is returned to HA node 310,HA node 310 assigns mobile station 301 a MIP address.

The MIP access request and MIP access accept messages may be in any formthat allows HA node 310 and AAA node 304 to exchange information withone another. Examples of such formats and protocols would include RADIUSand Diameter networking protocols.

ASN-GW 302 then receives a mobile internet protocol (MIP) reply messagetransferred from HA node 310 where MIP reply message includes the MIPaddress among other parameters. Parameters may include any data thatcould be utilized by ASN-GW 302 to perform its intended functions.

ASN-GW 302 sends a mobile internet protocol (MIP) session accept messageto mobile station 301 where the MIP session accept message includes theMIP address among other parameters. As with the MIP session requestmessage, the MIP session accept message may include multiple messagesusing a variety of different protocols. Such protocols would include anyprotocol that allows mobile station 301 to obtain and transfer variousparameters necessary to operate on communication network 300. DHCP isone example of a protocol that could be utilized when running aPMIP-based network. MIP message formats may be used when running aCMIP-based network. Mobile station 301 then has the ability to establisha data session with Internet 320 through HA node 310 upon receipt of theMIP address.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system that may beutilized by the network elements described in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 andfor the methods described herein. Computing node 500 includescommunication interface 501, processing system 502, and user interface503. Processing system 502 includes storage system 504. Storage system504 stores software 505. Processing system 502 is linked tocommunication interface 501 and user interface 503. Computing node 500could be comprised of a programmed general-purpose computer, althoughthose skilled in the art will appreciate that programmable or specialpurpose circuitry and equipment may be used. Computing node 500 may bedistributed among multiples devices that together comprise elements500-505.

Communication interface 501 could comprise a network interface, modem,port, transceiver, or some other communication device. Communicationinterface 501 may be distributed among multiple communication devices.Processing system 502 could comprise a computer microprocessor, logiccircuit, or some other processing device. Processing system 502 may bedistributed among multiple processing devices. User interface 503 couldcomprise a keyboard, mouse, voice recognition interface, microphone andspeakers, graphical display, touch screen, or some other type of userdevice. User interface 503 may be distributed among multiple userdevices. Storage system 504 could comprise a disk, tape, integratedcircuit, server, or some other memory device. Storage system 504 may bedistributed among multiple memory devices.

Processing system 502 retrieves and executes software 505 from storagesystem 504. Software 505 may comprise an operating system, utilities,drivers, networking software, and other software typically loaded onto acomputer system. Software 505 could comprise an application program,firmware, or some other form of machine-readable processinginstructions. When executed by processing system 502, software 505directs processing system 502 to operate as described herein.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A method for acquiring a mobile internet protocol address in acommunication network, the method comprising: sending a mobile networkinternet node notification message transferred from an authenticationnode to a mobile network internet node wherein the mobile networkinternet node notification message comprises an authentication nodeidentifier associated with a user identifier; sending a mobile internetprotocol request message transferred from a gateway node to the mobilenetwork internet node; sending a mobile internet protocol access requestmessage transferred from the mobile network internet node to theauthentication node utilizing the authentication node identifierassociated with a user identifier; receiving a mobile internet protocolaccess accept message at the mobile network internet node transferredfrom the authentication node wherein the mobile internet protocol accessaccept message comprises a mobile network internet node key; andassigning the mobile internet protocol address at the mobile networkinternet node to a mobile station associated with the user identifier.2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a data linkrequest message at the authentication node transferred from the mobilestation wherein the data link request message comprises the useridentifier and wherein the authentication node comprises theauthentication node identifier.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising generating the mobile network internet node key and a mobilenetwork internet node identifier based upon the user identifier.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising sending a data link acceptedmessage to a gateway node wherein the data link accepted messagecomprises the mobile network internet node key and a mobile networkinternet node identifier.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprisingestablishing a data link at the gateway node for the mobile station. 6.The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a mobile internetprotocol session request message at the gateway node transferred fromthe mobile station utilizing a data link.
 7. The method of claim 1further comprising receiving a mobile internet protocol reply message atthe gateway node transferred from the mobile network internet nodewherein the mobile internet protocol reply message comprises the mobileinternet protocol address.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprisingsending a mobile internet protocol session accept message to the mobilestation comprises transferring the mobile internet protocol sessionaccept message from the gateway node to the mobile station.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a data link requestmessage at the authentication node transferred from the mobile stationwherein the data link request message comprises the user identifier andwherein the authentication node comprises the authentication nodeidentifier; generating the mobile network internet node key and a mobilenetwork internet node identifier based upon the user identifier; sendinga data link accepted message to the gateway node wherein the data linkaccepted message comprises the mobile network internet node key and themobile network internet node identifier; establishing a data link at thegateway node for the mobile station; and receiving a mobile internetprotocol session request message at the gateway node transferred fromthe mobile station utilizing the data link.
 10. A method for acquiring amobile internet protocol address in a communication network, the methodcomprising: receiving a mobile internet protocol session request messageat a gateway node transferred from a mobile station utilizing a datalink; sending a mobile network internet node notification messagetransferred from an authentication node to a mobile network internetnode wherein the mobile network internet node notification messagecomprises an authentication node identifier associated with a useridentifier; sending a mobile internet protocol request messagetransferred from the gateway node to the mobile network internet node;sending a mobile internet protocol access request message transferredfrom the mobile network internet node to the authentication nodeutilizing the authentication node identifier; receiving a mobileinternet protocol access accept message at the mobile network internetnode transferred from the authentication node wherein the mobileinternet protocol access accept message comprises the mobile networkinternet node key; assigning the mobile internet protocol address at themobile network internet node to the mobile station associated with theuser identifier; receiving a mobile internet protocol reply message atthe gateway node transferred from the mobile network internet nodewherein the mobile internet protocol reply message comprises the mobileinternet protocol address; and sending a mobile internet protocolsession accept message transferred from the gateway node to the mobilestation wherein the mobile internet protocol session accept messagecomprises the mobile internet protocol address.
 11. The method of claim10 further comprising receiving a data link request message at theauthentication node transferred from the mobile station wherein the datalink request message comprises the user identifier and wherein theauthentication node comprises the authentication node identifier. 12.The method of claim 10 further comprising generating the mobile networkinternet node key and a mobile network internet node identifier basedupon the user identifier.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprisingsending a data link accepted message to a gateway node wherein the datalink accepted message comprises the mobile network internet node key anda mobile network internet node identifier.
 14. The method of claim 10further comprising establishing a data link at the gateway node for themobile station.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the gateway nodecomprises an access service network gateway.
 16. The method claim 10wherein the mobile network node comprises a mobile internet node homeagent.
 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the authentication nodecomprises an authentication, authorization and accounting node.